For Thanksgiving favors, Christmas stocking stuffers, or good food for your pantry, purchases from Women’s Bean Project help women trying to get back on their feet.

By giving employment to the chronically unemployed: convicted felons, recovering addicts, victims of domestic violence. Many were teenage mothers and high school dropouts.

Your purchase creates jobs for women (donations are very welcome). In just six to nine months, the women are trained to be great workers for other employers. The women learn to find a purpose, break the cycle of poverty, become self sufficient, support their children and feel good about themselves.

Supporting them will make you feel good, too.

The nourishing products they make include:

Baking Mixes

Coffees & Teas

Dog treats

Instant Meals (microwave cups)

Popcorn

Soups and chilis

Spice blends

Sweets

Gift baskets bundling the products

Everything is nutritious and delicious, but our current favorite are the Instant Meals single-serving rice and bean cups.

Simply add water, microwave for 60 seconds, let stand, stir and dig in. They can serve as a side dish or a light meal.

Beans are a superfood, a low-glycemic-index food that makes a person feel full, so they eat less of other things. They are full of fiber, potassium, folate, iron, manganese and magnesium, and they are cholesterol- and fat-free. Add some vegetables and fruit for vitamin C.

The Instant Meal cups are our current favorite way to eat more beans. Flavors include:

Cilantro Lime with Black Beans and Rice Cup

Lemon Dill with Navy Beans and Rice Cup

Spanish Style Rice with Pinto Beans Cup

[1] This Instant Meal cup of rice and beans is a nutritious stocking stuffer or party favor. All photos courtesy Women’s Bean Project.

[2] Delicious popcorn, already seasoned with your five different options.